Display hanger



Oct. 3, 1967 E. E. SCHAEFER DISPLAY HANGER Filed may 17, 1965 INVENTOR.

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ZZZMQTCZESMQQfe United States Patent 3,344,966 DISPLAY HANGER Edward E. Schaefer, River Forest, 111., assignor to Central Specialties Co., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 17, 1965, Ser. No. 456,216 9 Claims. (Cl. 223-96) This invention relates to a display hanger and more particularly relates to a display hanger adapted to display fabric articles, such as articles of clothing, garments, draperies, and the like.

In the merchandising of clothing articles, draperies, curtains and the like, it is currently the practice to display a large number of such articles on a display rack where they may be readily examined and compared by prospective purchasers. Such volume display encourages sales and is thus desirable. In order to facilitate handling articles displayed in this manner, they are usually mounted on hangers. Thus, it is desirable that such hangers be of minimum thickness in order to permit full utilization of the available display rack space. In addition, because articles displayed in such a manner are subjected to pulling and tugging by prospective purchasers and shoppers, the article retaining or clamping structure of the hanger must be capable of resisting such handling and yet permit rapid attachment or removal of an article from the hanger.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved display hanger which achieves each of the foregoing objectives.

Another object is to provide a novel display hanger for supporting and displaying fabric material articles of varying thickness and dimensions.

A more particular object is to provide a novel display hanger of minimum thickness and adapted for use with a multiple article display rack.

A further object is to provide a novel display hanger of the foregoing character which will retain an article mounted thereon when the latter is subjected to tugging and pulling by shoppers.

Still another object is to provide a novel display hanger of the foregoing character which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, with a portion thereof broken away, of a display hanger embodying the features of the present invention and showing the hanger as it would appear when a fabric material article to be displayed is mounted thereon, such article being shown in dot-dash lines;

.an alternate clamp construction embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged plan view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a broken, front elevational view of another display hanger embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged plan view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing a modified form of the clamp construction illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 7 and showing the position of the parts when engaged with an article to be displayed.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 a display hanger 10 embodying the features of the present invention, is illustrated. The hanger 10 preferably comprises a two-piece, wire frame 11 including a laterally or horizontally extending portion 12 and an upright hook portion 13 having its lower end 14 secured centrally, as by Welding, to the laterally extending portion 12. The frame 11 could also be made in one piece and from non-metallic materials, such as plastic. In addition, the hook portion 13 could be located eccentrically on the frame portion 12 and the shape thereof modified to suit a particular support.

According to the present invention, the hanger 10 includes at least one and preferably a pair of laterally spaced clamp means, indicated generally at 20, for releasably retaining an article to be displayed therefrom, only one clamp means 20 being illustrated in FIG. 1. Each clamp means 20 preferably comprises a clamp member 22 in the form of an inverted U-shaped member or bail having laterally spaced legs 23 and 24 which extend perpendicular to the frame portion 12, and a connecting portion 26 disposed above the frame portion 12.

Pivotal mounting means, indicated generally at 27, in the form of an upright tubular member 28 is provided for rotatably receiving one leg 23 of the clamp member 22, the leg 24- thereby being swingable about an axis perpendicular to the frame portion 12. The leg 23 thus comprises the pivot portion of each clamp member 22 and the leg 24 comprises the clamping portion. The lower end, indicated at 29, of the tubular member 28 is secured to and spaced inwardly from the outer end, indicated at 30, of the frame portion 12. While the lower end of each tubular member 28 may be secured directly to the frame portion 12, such end is shown secured to the upper end, indicated at 31, of one of the legs of a generally Ushaped wire frame member (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Such frame member, which forms no part of the present invention and which depends from the frame portion 12, has its upper ends 31 secured as by welding to one side of the frame portion 12.

According to the present invention, spring means is provided for biasing the leg 24 of each clamp member 22 toward the frame 11. Such spring means, in the present instance, comprises a coil spring 33 encircling the leg 23 and having one end 34 disposed in a slot 36 (FIG. 1) in the lower end of the leg 23. The other or upper end, indicated at 37, of the spring 33 .is disposed in a slot 38 in the upper end of the tube 28. The spring 33 is wound in a direction so as to exert a torque on the leg 23 tending to rotate the latter in a direction to swing the leg 24 toward the outer end 30 of the frame portion 12. Thus,

the legs 24 of each clamp member 22 are biased away from each other and toward the outer ends 30 of the frame portion 12.

With the foregoing construction it will be apparent that when it is desired to mount an article on the hanger 10, the clamping portion or leg 24- of each clamp member 22 is swung away from the frame portion 12 and the marginal edge, .indicated at 40, of an article to be displayed is inserted between the leg and frame. Thereafter, the leg 24 is released to permit it to swing toward the frame portion 12 to clamp the article therebetween.

It should be noted that the mounting of each clamp member 22 is such that the pivot axis of each leg 23 is disposed substantially on one side of a plane through the center of the frame portion 12 and the clamping leg 24 is disposed on the opposite side thereof so that the connecting portion 26 of each clamp member substantially crosses over the frame. Such relationship is advantageous in that the connecting portion 26 of each clamp member serves as an abutment or guide for positioning an article on the hanger. Thus, when an article to be displayed is being mounted on the hanger, the marginal edge 40 of the article may be shifted upwardly between each leg 24 and frame portion 12 until it engages the connecting portion 26, or almost does so. Thus, due to the elevated position of each connecting portion 26 with respect to the frame portion 12, the upper portion of the article being displayed conceals at least a portion of the structure of a hanger, which is advantageous.

In order to enhance retention of an article on the hanger 10, the frame portion 12 and clamp members 22 are provided with interfitting means for crimping or corrugating a portion of the material engaged by the clamp means 20. Thus, each end 30 of the frame portion 12 is provided with a recess defined by the open area, indicated at 42, of a loop 43 and each leg 24 of each clamp member 22 is provided with a projection 44 defined by a pair of undulations 46 in the leg. The troughs of the undulations 46 are in alignment with vertically spaced portions of the loop 43 so that the projection 44 will extend at least partially into the open area 42 of the loop 43 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 when the material of an article being displayed is clamped between the leg 24 and the frame portion 12.

In order to further enhance retention of an article mounted on the hanger 10, at least the leg 24 of each clamp member 22 and the loops 43 at each end 30 of the frame portion 12 may be coated with non-slip material, such as rubber or the like. However, with the exception of the hook portion 13, it is preferable to coat all of the exposed surfaces of the frame 11 and clamp means 20. Such coating not only enhances retention of an article mounted on the hanger but also serves as a sound deadener. The hook portion 13 may be coated with a smooth surface material 47, such as plastic or the like, both for sound absorption and antifriction purposes.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternate clamp means 50 is illustrated, which may be utilized on the hanger instead of the clamp means when fragile or thin material articles are to be displayed. It will be understood that at least one and preferably a pair of the clamp means 50 will be employed on each hanger, only one clamp means 50 being illustrated at the right end of the hanger frame portion 12 as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each clamp means 50 thus preferably comprises an inverted U-shaped clamp member or bail 52 having laterally spaced legs 53 and 54 which extend perpendicular to the frame portion 12, and a connecting portion 56.

Pivotal mounting means, indicated generally at 57, is provided for rotatably receiving one leg 53 of the clamp member 52, the leg 54 thereby being swingable about an axis perpendicular to the frame portion 12. The pivotal mounting means 57, in the present instance, comprises a substantially tubular portion 58 formed by the rolled-over inner edge of a rectangular plate member 59. The plate member 59, which defines a plate portion on the frame portion 12, is preferably of metal and is secured as by welding to the outer end section of the frame portion 12 at one side thereof. To this end, the remote outer end, indicated at 61, of the frame portion 12 is bent downwardly to permit the outer or right edge, indicated at 62, of the plate member 59 to overlie and be secured to the bent end 61 as by welding. The upper edge, indicated at 63, of the plate member 59 may also be secured to the frame portion 12 by welding or brazing.

The lateral length of the plate member 59 is somewhat greater than the lateral spacing between the legs 53 and 54 of the clamp member 52 so that when the pivot portion or leg 53 is mounted in the tubular portion 58, the clamping portion or leg 54 will be spaced inwardly of the outer edge 62 of the plate member 59. Thus, the clamping force exerted by the leg 54 on an article disposed between the leg 54 and frame portion 12 will be distributed across the full vertical dimension of the plate member. Consequently, the unit compression stress exerted on an article by the clamp member 52 is reduced.

In order to provide clearance for the leg 53 of each clamp member 52 when the former is mounted in its tubular portion 58 and to locate the pivot axis of the clamp member 52 closer to a central, vertical plane through the frame portion 12, the latter includes an offset portion 64 (FIG. 4) for this purpose.

Spring means in the form of a coil spring 66 is provided for biasing the clamping portion or leg 54 of each clamp member 52 toward the plate member 59. The spring 66 encircles the pivot leg 53 and is disposed within the tubular portion 58 of the mounting means 57, except for the upper end, indicated at 67, of the spring. The upper end 67 extends laterally outwardly through an opening 68 (FIG. 4) in the tubular portion 58 and bears against the plate member 59. The opening 68 is defined by the space between the wrapped around edge of the tubular portion and the plate member 59. The lower end, indicated at 72, of the coil spring 66 is disposed in a slot in the lower end of the leg 53, as in the clamping means 20. The spring 66 is wound so as to exert a torque on the pivot leg 53 tending to rotate the latter in a direction to swing the leg 54 toward the plate member 59. The operation of the clamp means 50 is, in all other respects, the same as the clamp means 20. Thus, due to the absence of projections on the legs 54 of the clamp means 50, use of the latter instead of the clamp means 20 is preferably when the hanger is to be used for displaying thin or fragile material articles.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 another display hanger embodying the features of the present invention, is illustrated. The hanger 80 preferably comprises a one-piece, plastic frame 81 including a laterally or horizontally extending portion 82 and an integral upright hook portion 83.

The hanger 80 includes at least one and preferably a pair of laterally spaced clamp means 90, only one of which is illustrated at the left end of the hanger in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each clamp means comprises an inverted U-shaped clamp member 92 having laterally spaced legs 93 and 94 which extend perpendicular to the frame portion 82, and a connecting portion 96.

Pivotal mounting means, indicated generally at 97, in the form of a boss 98 (FIG. 6) formed on one side of the frame portion 82 and having a vertical bore 99 therein, is provided for rotatably receiving the leg 93 of each clamp member 92. The axis of the bore 99 is disposed substantially at one side of the frame portion 82 and the clamping leg 94 is disposed on the opposite side thereof so that the connecting portion 96 of each clamp member substantially crosses over the frame, as in the previous embodiments.

A coil spring 102 encircles the leg 93 of each clamp member 92 and has its lower end 103 disposed in a cross slot 104 in the lower end of the leg 93. The upper end, indicated at 106, of the coil spring 102 extends laterally of the pivot axis of the leg 93 and is seated in a groove 107 in the upper surface of the frame portion 82. The spring 102 thus serves to exert a torque on the leg 93 in a direction to bias the leg 94 of each clamp member 92 toward a plate portion at the outer end, indicated at 108, of the frame portion 82 in the manner of the previous embodiments. In all other respects, the clamp means 90 functions in the same manner as the clamp means 50.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternate clamp means construction 110 is illustrated, which may be utilized on the hanger 80 in place of the clamp means 90 when heavier material articles are to be displayed. The clamp means 110 is substantially the same as the clamp means 90 and thus like reference numerals have been used to identify identical parts. Each clamp means 110 thus comprises an inverted U-shaped clamp member or bail 112 having laterally spaced legs 93 and 114 which extend perpendicular to the frame portion 82, and a connecting portion 96.

Pivotal mounting means, indicated generally at 97, is provided for rotatably receiving the pivot leg 93 of each clamp member 112 and for biasing the clamping leg 114 toward the outer end, indicated at 108, of the frame portion 82 in the same manner as the clamp means 90. Consequently, this description will not be repeated.

Each clamp means 110 differs from the clamp means 90 in that the frame portion 82 and the leg 114 of each clamp member 112 are provided with interfitting means for crimping or corrugating a portion of the material of an article disposed therebetween in the manner of the clamp means 20. Thus, a recess or dimple 115 is provided in the side face, indicated at 116, of the frame portion 82, adjacent the ends 108 thereof and each leg 114 is provided with a projection 118 defined by an offset portion of the leg 114. The projection 118 is in substantial alignment With the recess 115 so that the material of an article being displayed is crimped or corrugated to increase retention of the article in the manner of the clamp means 20. In all other respects, the operation of the clamp means 110 is the same as the clamp means 90.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the various embodiments of the present invention involve several novel features. First, each clamp means includes a pivotally mounted clamp member having a swingable clamping portion which is biased toward a laterally extending portion of the hanger frame for clamping a portion of the material of an article to be displayed therebetween. Second, the axis of the pivot portion of each clamp member is disposed substantially at one side of a central plane through the hanger frame and the clamping portion is disposed on the other side of the hanger frame so that the connecting portion of each clamp member crosses over the laterally extending portion of the frame. The connecting portion thus provides an abutment or guide which facilitates mounting and positioning of an article on the hanger. Third, the hanger has a minimum thickness and thus is not a limiting factor as to the number of articles which may be displayed on a rack when the articles are mounted on the hanger. Fourth, the hanger is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and reliable in operation.

I claim:

1. A display hanger for displaying fabric articles or the like, comprising a frame adapted to hang from a support, a clamp member including a pivot portion extending upwardly from said frame, a clamping portion, and a connecting portion joining said pivot and clamping portions, means pivotally mounting said pivot portion on said frame, and biasing means aifixed to said pivot portion for biasing said clamping portion toward said frame for releasably retaining an article to be displayed between said clamping portion and said frame, whereby said frame is substantially concealed by an article being displayed on said hanger.

2. The display hanger of claim 1 further characterized in that said mounting means comprises a tubular member mounted on and extending upwardly from said frame and having said pivot portion rotatably disposed therein.

3. The display hanger of claim 2 further characterized in that said biasing means comprises a coil spring disposed around said pivot portion for coaction therewith to bias said clamping portion toward said frame.

4. A display hanger, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame further has a plate portion providing an enlarged bearing surface for distributing the force exerted on said article by said clamping portion over a greater area, whereby said straight clamping portion and said plate portion coact to releasably retain an article therebetween without wrinkling or crimping of the material of said article.

5. A display hanger for displaying fabric articles or the like, comprising a frame adapted to hang from a support and including a laterally extending portion, at least one Ushaped clamp member pivotally mounted on said laterally extending portion and including a pivot portion rotatable about an axis perpendicular to and disposed substantially at one side of said laterally extending portion, a clamping portion disposed on the other side of said laterally extending portion, and a connecting portion joining said pivot and clamping portions, and biasing means afiixed to said pivot portion for biasing said clamping portion toward said other side of said laterally extending portion for releasably retaining an article to be displayed between said clamping portion and said frame.

6. The display hanger of claim 5 further characterized in that said connecting portion is disposed above and crosses over said laterally extending portion thereby providing an abutment adapted to engage a marginal edge of an article inserted between said frame and said clamping portion.

7. The display hanger of claim 6 further characterized in that said clamp member is of an inverted U-shape with the pivot and clamping portions thereof extending perpendicular to said laterally extending portion.

8. A display hanger for displaying fabric articles or the like, comprising a frame adapted to hang from a support, at least one U-shaped clamp means carried by said frame and having a pair of leg portions, one of said leg portions being pivotally affixed to one side of said frame and the other of said leg portions being disposed on the opposite side of said frame, and biasing means affixed to said one leg portion for biasing said other leg portion against said frame to releasably retain an article to be displayed between said other leg portion and said frame.

9. The display hanger of claim 8 further characterized in that said clamp means is rigid and said leg portions are supported and pivoted about an axis which is perpendicular to said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 648,534 5/1900 Seger 223-96 1,768,005 6/ 1930 Schwartzman 24-255 1,863,649 6/1932 Bliss 223-93 2,475,992 7/ 1949 Schliestedt 223-91 2,654,134 10/1953 Sauerman 24-137 2,656,077 10/1953 Gemsky et al 223-91 3,143,261 8/1964 Brooke 223-91 3,191,823 6/1965 Edwardes 223-96 3,201,016 8/1965 Altorfer 223-91 FOREIGN PATENTS 584,994 12/ 1924 France. 1,280,093 11/1961 France.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. G. KRIZMANICH, Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY HANGER FOR DISPLAYING FABRIC ARTICLES OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING A FRAME ADAPTED TO HANG FROM A SUPPORT, A CLAMP MEMBER INCLUDING A PIVOT PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID FRAME, A CLAMPING PORTION, AND A CONNECTING PORTION JOINING SAID PIVOT AND CLAMPING PORTIONS, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID PIVOT PORTION ON SAID FRAME, AND BIASING MEANS AFFIXED TO SAID PIVOT PORTION FOR BIASING SAID CLAMPING PORTION TOWARD SAID FRAME FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING AN ARTICLE TO BE DISPLAYED BETWEEN SAID CLAMPING PORTION AND SAID FRAME, WHEREBY SAID FRAME IS SUBSTANTIALLY CONCEALED BY AN ARTICLE BEING DISPLAYED ON SAID HANGER. 